Invictus

Invictus is one of the most inspiring films of recent years. Directed by Clint Eastwood the film stars Morgan Freeman as President Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the South African rugby team captain. The film is based on the book by John Carlin Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation.

The film was generally well received. Many agreed the story was true to life from those who remembered the actually events which made the film more believable. There were some dissenters but these were mostly on the side of the technical descriptions and scenes of the rugby itself and as it was directed by an American who may not fully understand the game these can be forgiven.

The title of the film is Latin for “unconquered” and comes from a poem Mandela said inspired him when he was in prison on Robben Island. The poem was written by William Ernest Henley during a spell in hospital.

The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.